Playin' Hooky

Unlike so many of you, I did not go to work today. I played hooky. Being in education, that is the proper terminology although nobody knew I was missing because NOBODY ELSE is at work in the district office during the winter holidays. And I find that weird, having come from a non-education field. I mean, what 22,000 employee company do you know of that veritably shuts down for two weeks and barely answers the phone? Technically we are open but it's idiots like me who choose not to take annual leave through these quiet times. Maybe next year I'll take advantage of it better. I do plan to go to work tomorrow, unless I develop a "cough" again ;).

I skipped today because I got home so late from the All Academy Ball where the cadets and midshipmen from all the military academies come together for a holiday gathering in all their formal finest uniforms. Doting parents take a zillion pictures and retired military types strut around in their formal dress too. It's a scene. The program ran on forever as every student was introduced, toasts were given to all the branches and support services, etc. The food was great. The table company was excellent - mainly because two of the parenst are serious runners so I had lots to talk about - never mind the military boys and girls. The cadets and midshipmen were a curious bunch, ranging in age, experience and outlook. They are definitely not your traditional college student, given their purpose and training. The academies are a good thing for developing leaders.

Meanwhile I adjusted to my new schedule of running. I recovered yesterday and waited until late in the afternoon today to put in four miles. The schedule said three but I skipped 13 yesterday so I felt obliged. I have no more mid-week 13s to worry about although I continue tomorrow with a 90-minute run presumably with 10 minutes of hill work. Ha! Find me 10 minutes of hills here in Central Florida. Not likely. ... and not likely in Miami either so I'm not worried too much about that. What hills there are I run every day anyway.

I strapped on the heart monitor for the first time in a while. I wanted to see if all this marathon training might have lowered my at-rest HR. Well, sitting still I got it down to 55 but when I laid down, not having to hold my head up, it dropped all the way to 46. My previous low rate was 53. I ran the four miles in a pedestrian 35:48.1 with an avg. HR of 126. Not a lot of effort there. I peaked at only 141.

I am very excited about the weather forecast for this weekend: sunny skies and temps in the high 70s, maybe 80. I could be working on my tan for New Year's! That's something to look forward to. If you hurry and book now, you can be here with me.